Thermostatic valve



Dec. 29, 1936. J K D 2,065,812

THERMOSTATIC VALVE Original Filed May 8, 1935 INVENTOR.

/akzes A z z'izlzaz'a TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 8, 1935, Serial No. 20,308 Renewed April 20, 1936 16 Claims.

This invention relates to thermostatic valves of the butterfly type and in particular to temperature responsive devices used for controlling the circulation of the cooling fluid in the cooling system of automotive engines and the like.

One object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve assembly preferably adapted to be operatingly located within a flexible connection between an internal combustion engine and the radiator of its cooling system, the valve thereof being actuated by a fluid filled bellows type temperature responsive element mounted thereon in such a manner as to cause a positive pivotal movement of the said valve, and at the same time cause a minimum obstruction to the flow of cooling fluid therethrough when said valve is in its open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve assembly having its pivoted valve and temperature responsive element streamlined to cause a minimum obstruction to the flow of cooling fluid therethrough when said valve is in its open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve assembly in which the thermostatic element and the pivoted or butterfly valve thereof are an integral unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve having the bellows type thermostatic element thereof located eccentric to its pivotal mounting and adapted to react against a movable fulcrum in such a manner as to permit the power stroke of the said thermostatic element to be always normal to the face of the valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve having the bellows type thermostatic element thereof located eccentric to its pivotal mounting and adapted toreact against a floating fulcrum to cause the power stroke of the said thermostatic element to act at all times tangential to the arcuate path of the bellows.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve having the bellows type thermostatic element thereof located eccentric to its pivotal mounting and adapted to open and close said valve responsive to the said thermostatic element without the use of springs or the like for urging the said valve to its closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic valve assembly having a bellows type thermostatic element integral with or mounted on the pivoted butterfly valve thereof which is light in weight, compactly constructed of comparatively few simple parts, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a thermostatic valve assembly embodying the invention, the pivoted butterfly valve thereof being shown in its closed position.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the valve shown in its open position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 1 indicating another embodiment of the in- Vention.

Referring particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the thermostatic valve shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 comprises a tubular housing or casing IU having a butterfly type valve member H pivoted therein. Preferably, the valve member H is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed integral lugs l2 having suitably located apertures therein through which shouldered bearings l3 pivotally support the said valve member II from diametrically opposite sides of the tubular housing or casing Ill. The said shouldered bearings l3 may be secured to the casing l0 by peening or rolling the same into engagement therewith.

The valve member H is provided with a substantially annular dished or depressed portion eccentric to its pivotal mounting which serves as the base of a thermostatic element or bellows I4 and serves to streamline the same. The movable end l5 of the bellows I4 is also dished to accommodate a U-shaped bracket 16 suitably secured thereto. The bellows M is preferably pivotally floated on an adjustable fulcrum IT by means of the pivot pin 18 extending through the U-shaped bracket 5 and the suitably located slotted hole 19 of the said adjustable fulcrum l1.

The adjustable fulcrum I1 is threaded on the adjusting screw 20 which is journaled in the cup 2!. The cup 2! is shouldered at its outer end to permit the same to be secured to the casing Ill by peening or rolling the same into engagement therewith. The adjusting screw 20 snugly flts the cup 2| and may be held in its adjusted position after assembly by deforming the same with a suitable set or punch. A stop 22 preferably integral with the adjustable fulcrum ll limits the movement of the valve member II to its open position. i

The valve member I l is also provided with one or more suitably disposed and sized apertures 23 through which a small amount of cooling fluid passes for the purpose of maintaining a slight circulation of cooling fluid in the cooling system regulated by the valve when the valve is closed. The slight circulation of cooling fluid from the engine through the valve when the valve is closed permits a quick response by the thermostatic element thereof to slight temperature changes of the cooling fluid in the engine. The size and location of the apertures 23 in the valve member II may also be used to properly balance the valve member II when closed against the pressure of the cooling fluid where the cooling fluid is under forced circulation.

. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the valve member II is streamlined and is provided with a baffle 24 for directing cooling fluid around the bellows I4 when the valve is in its opened position. However, the bafiie 24 does not prevent the cooling fluid from contacting the bellows I4 at all times, it being the function of the streamlined valve member II and the bafiie 24 to reduce the V resistance to the flow of cooling fluid throughthe valve assembly to a minimum.

7 ture for its closed position, say 140 degrees.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the bellows I4 is indicated as a unit having a base 25 and a movable end I5. The base 25 of the bellows I4 may be secured to the streamlined valve member II by any suitable means such as soldering or sweating.

In both embodiments shown in the drawing, it is desirable and preferable to charge the bellows I4'in a manner such as will cause it to be normally under a vacuum so that in the event of leakage the bellows I4 will expand due to the loss of its vacuum and open the valve member I I to a position of safety. 7 7

After assembling the thermostatic valve the pivoted butterfly valve member I I is placed in its closed position as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig.3 and the fulcrum I I is adjusted to its proper position as indicated in the drawing while the valve assembly is maintained at its maximum tempera- The fulcrum adjusting screw is then set'in its adjusted position.

The thermostatic valve assemblymay then be placed in a flexible connection between an automotive or other internal combustion engine and the radiator of its cooling system. When the cooling fluid in the engine is cold and the valve I I remains closed, however, a slight circulation'of cooling fluid is permitted through apertures 23 in the valve I I until the temperature of the cooling fluid from theengine exceeds a predetermined minimum of say 140 degrees. As the temperature of the cooling fluid increases above 140 degrees the thermostatic element I4 expands and urges the valve II to its open position by acting against the fulcrum I'I. After the valve II has been thus opened, it automatically closes by the force of the contraction of the thermostatic ele- V ment I4 as the temperature of the cooling fluid decreases to 140 degrees.

As hereinbefore described the base of the thermostatic element or bellows I4 is eccentrically mounted on the pivoted butterfly valve II, and the movable end of the said bellows is pivotally floated on the fulcrum IT by means of a U-shaped bracket I6 and a. pin I8 cooperating with the said fulcrum I! through a suitably located slotted hole I9 therein.

This slotted hole I9 in the fulcrum I1 is so located as to permit the pivot pin I8 to slide along the long side of the said slotted hole I9 as the bellows I4 expands and causes the butterfly valve II to turn toward and to its open position. In sliding along the long side of the said slotted hole I9 of the fulcrum I! the pivot pin I8 locates itself so that the power stroke of the bellows I4 reacting against the fulcrum I1 is always tangential to the arcuate path of the bellows. The pivot pin I8 creeps along the slotted hole I9 as the bellows I4 contracts and pulls the butterfly valve I I toward and to its closed position by cooperating with the fulcrum I1, the pivot pin I8 thereby locates itself so that the power stroke of the bellows I4 pulling against the fulcrum I1 is always tangential to the arcuate path of the bellows. The above permits the use of a comparatively small bellows inasmuch as the full power stroke thereof is directly utilized to move the valve from any position.

It will be noted that the mounting of the bellows is such that no springs or meansother than the bellows itself is required to close the valve once it has been opened.

The valve II in Fig. 1, being dished approximately half the height of the bellows I4 when expanded, having the said bellows mounted in the depressed portion thereof provides a substantially streamlined unit, however, the further streamlining indicated on the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 may be desirable when an extremely large volume of cooling fluid is required to pass through a comparatively small thermostatic valve. The streamlining and location of the bellows with its corrugations parallel to the flow of cooling fluid through the valve makes the valve self cleaning as well as capable of ofiering a minimum resistance to the flow of cooling fluid therethrough. I

Although but two specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that various changes including the size, shape, arrangement and details of the various parts thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and it is not intended to limit the scope thereof other than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A thermostatic valve comprising a housing, a butterfly valve pivoted in said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element integral with said valve and normal thereto, said bellows located eccentric to said pivotal 'valve mounting, said valve being dished to a depth of approximately half the height of said bellows when expanded for streamlining said valve, 2. baffle on said valve for streamlining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting, and means for causing the power stroke of the thermostatic element to act tangential to the arcuate path described by the said thermostatic element when opening and closing said valve.

2. In a thermostatic valve assembly, a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said tubular housing, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted .on said valve normal thereto and eccentric to its pivotal mounting adapted to open and close said valve, the said valve beingdished to a depth of approximately half the height of said bellows when expanded for streamlining the said valve, and a baille on said valve for stream lining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting.

3. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted on said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric "to its pivotal mounting, the said bellows adapted to open and closesaid valve, and a bafile on said valve for streamlining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting.

4. A thermostatic valve comprising a housing, diametrically opposed shouldered bearings secured within said housing, a valve element having oppositely disposed shouldered lugs integral therewith for pivoting the same on said shouldered bearings, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted on said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof. eccentric to its pivotal mounting, the said bellows adapted to open and close said valve, and a baflie on said valve for streamlining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting.

5. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted on said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric to its pivotal mounting, an adjustable fulcrum within said housing, and means for floatingly pivoting said bellows on said fulcrum to cause the same to open and close said valve.

6. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted on said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric to its pivotal mounting, and an adjustable fulcrum within said housing, the said fulcrum having a slotted hole therein through which the said bellows is floatingly pivoted to permit the same to open and close said valve.

7. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element integral with said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric to its pivotal mounting, a bafile on said valve for streamlining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting, and an adjustable fulcrum within said housing, the said fulcrum having a slotted hole therein through which the said bellows is floatingly pivoted to permit the same to open and close said valve.

8. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element mounted on said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric to its pivotal mounting, and an adjustable fulcrum within said housing, the said fulcrum having a slotted hole therein through which the said bellows is floatingly pivoted to permit the same to open and close said valve by utilizing its full power stroke normal to said valve at all positions thereof.

9. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element integral with said valve normal thereto and in a dished portion thereof eccentric to its pivotal mounting, a baffle on said valve for streamlining the same substantially symmetrical to its pivotal mounting, and an adjustable fulcrum within said housing, the said fulcrum having a slotted hole therein through which the said bellows is floatingly pivoted to permit the same to open and close said valve by utilizing its full power stroke normal to said valve at all positions thereof.

10. A thermostatic valve comprising a tubular housing, a valve element pivoted within said housing, a bellows type thermostatic element pivotally mounted combination of a housing, a valve member adapted to substantially close the passage through said housing and pivotally mounted in said housing for movement about its axis into a position to permit flow of fluid through said housing, said pivoted valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a thermostat, a thermostat adapted to close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open said valve by a compressive action when expanded mounted partly within the cavity of said recess and attached at one end to said valve member, and means pivotally connecting the opposite end of said thermostat to a fulcrum secured on the wall of said housing laterally of the axis of said valve member.

12. In a temperature regulator for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a housing and a thermostatically operated valve mechanism pivotally mounted in said housing for opening and closing the passage therethrough, said thermostatically operated valve mechanism including a valve member pivoted in the wall of said housing and adapted to move about its pivot to open and close the passage through said housing, said valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a thermostat, and a thermostat adapted to close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open said valve by a compressive action when expanded partly enclosed in the cavity of said valve member and connected to said valve member to react thereon along a line which is transverse of but laterally disposed with respect to the axis of said valve member, said thermostat having a pivotal connection which is secured to the wall of said housing at a point which is laterally disposed with respect to the axis of said valve member.

13. In a temperature regulator for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a housing, a valve member pivotally mounted therein to open and close the passage through said housing, said valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a thermostat, a fulcrum member mounted on the wall of said housing laterally of the pivotal mounting of said valve member, and a thermostat adapted to close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open said valve by a compressive action when expanded attached at one end to said valve member and at its opposite end on said fulcrum member, said thermostat being partly housed in the cavity of said valve member.

14. In a temperature regulator for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a housing, a valve member, means pivotally mounting said valve member in said housing to open and close the passage through said housing, said valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a thermostat, a bellows thermostat adapted to close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open'said valve by a compressive action when expanded attached at one end to said valve member and partly housed in said cavity, and a fulcrum member mounted on the wall of said housing laterally of the pivotal mounting of said valve member and pivotally connected to the opposite end of said thermostat, the axis of said thermostat being transverse of but laterally disposed with respect to the axis of said valve member.

15. In a temperature regulator for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a housing, a valve member adapted to substantially close the passage through said housing and pivotally mounted in said housingtfor movement about its axis into a position to permit flow of liquid through said housing, said pivoted valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a temperature response means, a temperature responsive means for pivoting said valve member to open and close the passage through said housing adapted to'close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open said valve by a compressive action when expanded mounted partly within the cavity of said recess and attached at one end to said valve member, and means pivotally connecting the opposite end of said temperature responsive means to a'fulcrum secured on the Wall of said housing laterally of the axis of said valve member.

16. In a temperature regulator for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a housing, a valve member pivotally mounted therein to open and close the passage through said housing, said valve member being recessed to provide a cavity to receive a thermostat, a fulcrum member mounted on the Wall of said housing laterally of the pivotal mounting of said valve member, and thermostatic means adapted to close said valve by a tensional action when contracted and open said valve by a compressive action when expanded attached at one end to said valve member and pivotally mounted at its opposite end on said fulcrum member, said thermostat being partly housed in the cavity of said valve member.

JAMES A. KINNARD. 

